Abstract Experiments on a variety of isomeric [C 3 H 8 O]+⋅ and [C 4 H 10 O]+⋅ ions have failed to produce direct evidence for the involvement of the complex ions [C 2 H 4+⋅/HOCH 3] and [C 2 H 4+⋅/HOC 2 H 5]. For the isomers studied, the rearrangements prior to their dissociation of lowest energy requirement (loss of H 2 O and C 2 H 5⋅, respectively) are proposed to involve distonic and ylid ions.
